Battle estate agent facing ‘no further action over missing £130k’

Sussex Police has said it will be taking no further action against an estate agent which shut suddenly a year ago, leaving clients £130,000 out of pocket.

More than 100 people were affected when family-run firm Abbey Gates in High Street, Battle, ceased trading on March 11 2015.

But after a lengthy investigation, Sussex Police this week told the Observer there was “no evidence of dishonest intent” and that no further action would be taken.

A spokesperson for the Force said: “Over the past year police have been investigating the circumstances in which Abbey Gate Lettings, of High Street, Battle, ceased to trade.

“More than 100 clients and landlords had been reliant on this agency, which was an unlimited company, to manage the lettings of their properties, and incurred a loss totalling some £130,000.

“Detectives from Hastings CID and the force’s Economic Crime Unit, supported by a police financial investigator, have thoroughly investigated the matter, considering the possibility that the moneys were taken by theft, and have now concluded that there is no evidence of dishonest intent by the owners of the business, although they may well have acted incorrectly in their management.

“Officers therefore wrote to the complainants at the beginning of March 2016 to advise them that no further action will be taken.

“They have also advised the complainants that it is open to them to consider civil action against the owners, and have supplied details for Citizens Advice who can give advice on how to go about doing so.”

Abbey Gates was responsible for a number of properties between Bexhill and Rye and as far north as Wadhurst.

* Were you affected by the closure of Abbey Gates? What’s your reaction to the news from Sussex Police? The Battle Observer would like to hear from you - email rye.battle@jpress.co.uk

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